Hi, I'm Rick Steves, back with more of the
Best of Europe. This time we're soaking up the off-beat delights
of the Czech Republic. Thanks for joining us! To get a fair look at any country, you need
to venture beyond its dominant city. Here in the Czech Republic there's a world
of cultural riches outside of Prague - and in this episode, that's our focus. We'll discover stately squares with no tourists;
eat stinky cheese and wash it down with Europe's best beer... Honza: ...the stinkiest cheese in the whole
country. See the trophies of a bored yet trigger happy
prince and learn of an evil Nazi hoax. Then we'll follow the epic story of the Czech nation
on canvas, paddle through the bohemian countryside, and delight in a fairytale town that comes
complete with jaunty Gypsy music. Buried in the heart of central Europe is the
Czech Republic. Skipping Prague, the capital, we start in Olomouc in Moravia, before visiting
Moravsky Krumlov, Trebon, Terezin, Konopiste, and Cesky Krumlov. As Europe unites into one vast free trade
zone, it's employing its own kind of internal Marshal Plan, investing hundreds of billions
of dollars into its own infrastructure. Here in the Czech Republic they have a new express
train zipping you in less than two hours from Prague to here...Olomouc. Its circa-1950s train station is a fascinating
blend of old and new: Bright and happy workers put down their hammers and sickles long enough
to greet you - a reminder of the country's recent communist past. Just a short tram-ride
from the station gets us to the old town center. Olomouc, the historic capital of this region,
is the Czech Republic's fifth-largest city with 100,000 people and home to a leading
university. With its wealth of cafés, clubs, and student life, Olomouc gives you vibrant
local culture - without the tourist crowds and high prices of Prague. I'm joined by my Czech friend and co-author
of my Czech Republic guidebook, Honza Vihan. Rick: So, Moravia, is that a political unit
or an ethnic region? Honza: Moravia is region in the Eastern part
of the Czech Republic. Rick: And how would you describe the Moravian
people? Honza: Well to generalize the Moravians are
more emotional and friendlier then the people in the western part of the country. The fortune and misfortune of Olomouc comes
from its strategic location at the intersection of Central Europe's main east-west and north-south
trade routes. The city's historic core is simply workaday Moravia. Trams clatter through
the streets - as they have for a century. The town's economy is lively even without
much tourism. Standing in front of the Town Hall surrounded
by the vast square and its fine noble and bourgeois residences, you can imagine the
importance of Olomouc in centuries past. The people here are proud - as if their fine city
was still ruling Moravia...which is hasn't done since about 1640. Locals brag that their city is the home to
the country's second most important bishop and its second most important university.
Perennially number two, Olomouc actually built its bell tower to be six feet taller than
Prague's. But, when it comes to plague monuments, Olomouc is unrivaled..... this baby is the
tallest and most grandiose anywhere. Throughout Central Europe squares like this
are decorated with similar structures, erected by locals to give thanks for surviving the
plague. The tip of the column features the Holy Trinity: God the Father making a blessing,
Christ sitting on a globe, and the dove representing the Holy Spirit. Tumbling below the Trinity,
the archangel Michael - with his ever-ready sword and shield - reminds us that the Church
is in a constant struggle with evil. It all sits upon a tiny chapel where, on the
day the column was inaugurated in 1754, the mighty Hapsburg Empress Maria Theresa - who
traveled all the way from Vienna - knelt to pray - devout, yet envious. Proud little Olomouc,
way out here in Moravia, had a plague column grander than Vienna's. A series of allegorical fountains decorate
the old town. Most were inspired by classical mythology. This one, featuring Julius Caesar,
is dedicated to the legendary founder of the town. The modern turtle fountain is a popular meeting
place for young mothers, and a fine place to watch toddlers enjoy the art. This astronomical clock was destroyed by the
Nazis in World War II. Today's version was rebuilt in 1953 by the communists - with their
kitschy flair for propaganda. In good Social Realist style, you have earnest chemists and
heroic mothers rather than holy saints and Virgin Marys. In this region so rich in agriculture,
these symbols of the 12 months each feature a seasonal farm activity. High noon is marked
by a proletarian parade, when a mechanical conga line of milkmaids, clerks, blacksmiths,
teachers, and first defenders are celebrated as the champions of everyday society. As with any full service astronomical clock,
there's a wheel with 365 saints, so you'll always know whose special day it is. And this
clock comes with a Moscow-inspired bonus - red bands splice in the special days of communist
heroes: Lenin died on the 21st day of the year; Stalin's saint was Tomas - day 355. We can't leave Olomouc without experiencing
one of the city's greatest attractions; its notoriously stinky cheese. Rick: So we know about the great Czech beer.
But what's with this famous cheese from Moravia? Honza: The Olomouc zarushki? Well it's the
stinkiest cheese in the whole country. Rick: [Laugh] Really:
Honza: If there is one thing you associate with Olomouc, it's this cheese. My mom comes
from this region, when I was a kid when she would start eating this at home, me and my
dad we would just clear out of the kitchen. So the thing that makes this cheese is the
way it ages. It ages under the aged meat so the meat itself has to be aged to age this
cheese. Then you have to age in order to like this cheese.
Rick: And what are you putting on it? Honza: That's young onion, young, strong onion.
Rick: Why is that important? Honza: Is good for you as a man.
Rick: [Laugh] Honza: It stinks but is good.
Rick: And what is this? Honza: This, these are really strong mints
so you can go and kiss your wife when you go home. Thirty miles south of Prague is Konopiště,
the lavish residence of the Archduke Franz Ferdinand. Its interior dates from about 1900,
when the heir of the Hapsburg throne, Franz Ferdinand, moved in. Against the wishes of
his uncle, Emperor Franz Josef, Franz Ferdinand married a Czech countess, Sofie. To escape
family problems back in Vienna, he purchased Konopiště and moved here to raise their
3 children and wait his turn to be emperor. Money was no object as Franz Ferdinand turned
his castle into a palace with all the latest comforts: As one of the first castles in Europe
to have an elevator...a shower with hot and cold running water...and even a new-fangled
flush toilet, Konopiště shows "modern" living around the year 1900. The archduke had lots of time on his hands
as his uncle, Emperor Franz Josef held onto power from 1848 all the way until 1916. While
he waited, Franz Ferdinand amassed one of the best collections of arms and armor in
the entire world. The exhibit, mostly Italian from the 16th to the 18th centuries, raises
weaponry to an art form. And for Franz Ferdinand, guns were more than
showpieces. Obsessed with hunting, he traveled around the world, shooting at anything with
four legs: deer, bear, tigers, elephants, and this Polish buffalo. He actually recorded
over 200,000 kills in his log. Keep in mind Royal hunting was a kind of massacre game
with his aids sweeping doomed animals into the archduke's eager sights. Over 4,000 trophies
decorate the walls and halls of his castle. Franz Ferdinand did more than his share of
shooting. But in 1914, he himself was shot, along with his beloved wife Sofie, in Sarajevo.
His assassination sparked WWI which ultimately ended the rule of the Hapsburg family - whose
crown he had waited so long to inherit. Another site near Prague is Terezin, a town
built in the 1780s with state-of-the-art walls designed to keep out German enemies. In 1941,
the Nazis evicted its 7,000 inhabitants and packed in 60,000 Jews, creating the Terezín
Concentration Camp. The town's historic walls, originally meant to keep Germans out, were
now used by Germans to keep the Jews in. But this was a concentration camp with a devious
twist. This was the Nazis' model "Jewish town," - in
reality a concentration camp dolled up for propaganda purposes. Here in what they called
a "self-governing Jewish resettlement area," Jewish culture seemed to thrive, as "citizens"
put on plays and concerts, published a magazine, and raised their families in ways that impressed
Red Cross inspectors. The Germans wanted the Jews to accept this
new reality - harsh, but at least life would go on. Children made dolls of their friends
"in transport" - as if relocating was just the start of the next stage of their lives.
They drew carefree memories of life before incarceration and they made scrapbooks about
life in the camp. The museum comes with a recreated barracks furnished with actual belongings
of Terezin inmates. Sinks were installed - looking good for human
rights abuse inspectors from the outside world...but never actually plumbed with water. Group showers
became a routine part of life here. The fatal last shower many Terezin residents would later
take at Auschwitz looked no different...except there were no windows. Tolerable as this sham Jewish town seemed,
virtually all of Terezín's Jews ultimately ended up dying either here or at the extermination
camps farther east. As you explore the camp, ponder the message of all such memorials:
Forgive, but never forget. Today, the Czech Republic - independent and
enjoying an unprecedented prosperity - is dotted with plain and sleepy towns. These
non-descript, work-a-day places go about life oblivious to modern tourism. But one particularly
ugly town hides an artistic pearl. Moravský Krumlov has only one real restaurant
and shops shut down by 5:00. The concrete ugliness of the circa-1950s main square (rebuilt
after the town was bombed out by Russians in WWII) feels a world-apart from the rest
of the country. But...there's one good reason to visit Moravský
Krumlov: Discovering the Slavic Epic, by the Czech Republic's greatest painter, Alfons
Mucha. His masterpiece is tucked away in the town's decaying castle. Around 1900, Mucha made a hugely successful
commercial career for himself as the Art Nouveau poster artist and illustrator of ads and magazine
covers. His specialty: pretty women with flowers,
portraits of rich wives, and slinky models celebrating the good life. But he grew tired
of commercial art. Mucha dedicated the second half of his career
- 18 years - to painting the Slavic Epic
[correction: Slav Epic], 20 huge canvases designed to tell the story
of his nation on a grand scale. The art fills this humble space only until
a suitable home can be found in Prague. In this self-portrait young Mucha is the seer
- a conduit, determined to share wisdom of a sage Slav with his fellow Czechs. Mucha paints a brotherhood of Slavic people
- Serbs, Russians, Poles, and Czechs - who share a common heritage, deep roots, a hard
fought past, and ultimate triumph. Through this series of epic events, Czechs can trace
their ethnic roots: Mucha, with his romantic nationalist vision,
shows how through the ages Goths and Germanic people have brought terror and destruction
to the Slavs....the Slavs whose pagan roots are woven deep into their national character.
The establishment of the Orthodox Christian faith provided a common thread for Slavic
peoples. To maintain their identity, they stood up to the Roman Church with courageous
religious leaders boldly confronting Vatican officials. The printing of the Bible in the
Czech language was a cultural milestone. Then they endured three centuries of darkness
during the time Czechs were ruled by the Catholic Austrians. Mucha's final canvas shows the
ultimate triumph of the Czech people as, in the 20th century, they join the family of
nations with their Czech ethnicity intact. The Slavic Epic. A short drive takes us to another popular
stop: Třeboň. Its venerable square is lined with playful arcades artfully blending both
Renaissance and Baroque building styles. The town was built by 17th-century businessmen,
whose wealth came from fish farming. From one of the outdoor cafés, you can watch the
parade of local life in the shadow of another plague monument. The bank sports a relief extolling the virtue
of working hard and stowing your money right here. And a happy fisherman cradles the historic...and
wiggly...source of this town's wealth. Centuries ago lake-builders of Třeboň employed
ingenious techniques. They transformed what was a flooding marshland into a clever and
delightful combination of lakes....oak-lined dikes... and fertile meadows. Rather than
unprofitable soggy fields, the nobles wanted ponds swarming with fish. Today - five centuries
later - Třeboň remains the fish-raising capital of the Czech Republic. 16th-century landscape architects struck an
amazing balance between civilization and nature, which today is a protected ecosystem. Nature
enthusiasts visit to bird-watch, bike along dikes held together by roots of centuries-old
oaks, and of course, catch a few fish. Třeboň's other claim to fame: its peat spa.
Patients come - mostly on their doctors orders and therefore covered by the national healthcare
system - for weeklong stays. And gawky tourists can line up for a soak too. With clinical
efficiency...["Rick Steves"], I'm suddenly part of the system - like it or not. Soaking
in the black, smelly peat sludge is thought to cure aching joints and spines. We'll see
about that. The treatment continues with a cursory hose-down. Its capper - a no-nonsense
massage - gives a relaxing opportunity to judge the power of peat. Moving on, we enter the region of Bohemia.
This part of the Czech Republic closest to Germany, is much appreciated for its pastoral
countryside. And floating a few hours down the Vltava River through Bohemian forests
and villages you see why. Families and gangs of friends enjoy multi-day river trips. These
guys aren't letting a little rain dampen their spirits. Anyone passing through can rent a
canoe and enjoy a paddle - short or long. Float companies pick you up and drop you at
convenient and scenic spots of your choice. Going with the flow takes you to my favorite
stop in the Czech countryside outside of Prague... Český Krumlov. The enchanting town of Cesky Krumlov - buried
in the hills of Bohemia, lassoed by its river and dominated by its castle - feels lost in
a time warp. Its delightful Old Town of shops and cobbled lanes, characteristic little restaurants,
and easy going canoeing options, makes it a favorite with tourists. And there's no shortage of accommodations.
Our home is the Castle View Apartments. Plush and thoughtfully-equipped - my room is typical
of the work locals are doing as even medieval lofts are being renovated to meet the needs
of the growing number of visitors. Open beams, a handy kitchenette...and - as its name promises
- a castle view, make this a fine temporary home. With the natural moat provided by the Vltava
river, it's no wonder this place has been a choice spot for ages. The 16th century was
the town's Golden Age, when Český Krumlov was a cultural power hosting artists, scientists,
and alchemists from all over Europe. The town's many tourists set their sights
on the mighty castle of the Rožmberk family. For three centuries - until about 1600 - the
Rožmberks - Bohemia's top noble family - ran the city from this perch. Its 16th-century
Renaissance paint job is fancifully restored. Visitors wait their appointed time for a tour
in the castle courtyard. The interior gives a glimpse of the ultimate in Bohemian noble
living through the ages. Imagine being a guest - back in the 16th century - of this man,
Count Rozmberk. You'd enjoy the scenes frescoed here which celebrate a Rozmberk family wedding.
Then, riding his assembly line of fine living, you'd dine here. Come back two centuries later,
and you'd dine here and if the countess tired of your company, she'd retire to her adjacent
bedroom...but only after a servant lit the candles on her Meissen porcelain chandelier. And of course the party would go on...perhaps
with a Venetian-style masquerade party in the ballroom. For a little fresh air, you'd
hike down this corridor, 150 yards, to the count's formal garden. But don't forget...at
8pm, the candles would be lit...for a play in the Baroque theater. Europe once had several hundred fine Baroque
theaters like this. Using candles and oil lamps for light and pyrotechnics for special
effects eventually most of them burned down. Today only four survive that are in beautiful
shape and open to the public like this one here, at Krumlov Castle. Baroque theater was all about melodrama - lighting,
perspective, and sound effects were all melodramatic. Even the weather was thrilling - with machines
to make horrifying wind...a
driving rain storm...and menacing thunder. Even back then...it was all about special
effects. Tonight, the liveliest place in town is the
local Gypsy Bar - good food and lively music. The easiest way for a traveler to experience
the traditional Gypsy or Roma culture is through its music - always crowd pleasing and fiery. Rick: How many Roma are there in Europe?
Honza: There are 12 million Romas mainly in central and Eastern Europe.
Rick: 12 million! Honza: That's more than the Czechs or Austrians.
Rick: Where did they come from? Honza: The Romas came to Europe in the middle
ages from India, had long been persecuted. Hitler targeted them just like the Jews. The
communists put an end to their nomadic ways and they tried to forceful assimilate them
- it was catastrophic result to the Roma culture. Rick: So where does that leave them today?
Honza: Well the Roma culture is falling apart - most of the people don't even speak the
Roma language...and it's rare to find young Roma musicians keeping on the traditions.
It's a real test for our society to learn to respect each other and live together. We
have a long way to go. And judging by the way music is bridging cultural
barriers here tonight, there's reason for hope. Thanks for joining us. I hope you've enjoyed
our look at the highlights - beyond its capital- of the Czech Republic. I'm Rick Steves. Until
next time...keep on traveling. Credits: [Laugh] There's a naked woman in there! Hi, I'm Rick Steves back with more [laugh]
of the best of Europe. This time we're soaking up [laugh].
